Injury-hit Bendigo Miners outpointed by Eltham in rugby union clash

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  TEST OF STRENGTH: Bendigo’s Roland Clark tries to break free in the under-18s match. Picture: JODIE DONNELLAN

  
  

An injury-hit  Keech Australia-backed Bendigo  Miners suffered a heavy defeat in extremely wet conditions at the hands of Eltham in the rugby union division A match at the Epsom-Huntly Reserve on Saturday.

Missing key players Joseph Drahm, Nicki Poingdestre, Ale Liliva, Tom Murrell, James Sigston, Sam Tauai, Ash Hemopo and Kingi Uerata because of injury, the Miners woes were compounded when five-eighth Siaosi Palelei was red-carded after about 20 minutes.

At the time of the dismissal Bendigo trailled 0-7, but was more than matching its higher ranked opponent. 

Eltham had scored a runaway try in the 10th minute against the flow of play after a defensive lapse on the short side of a scrum.

Bendigo suffered a further blow just before half-time when half-back Alex Milsom was forced from the field with a shoulder injury. 

Eltham scored a second try and went to the break with a 15-0 lead.

After the break Bendigo suffered a further setback when Falepau Aumea was yellow-carded, reducing the Miners to 13 players for 10 minutes. 

On the back of its weight of numbers, Eltham scored four more tries to emerge comfortable winners.

Despite the big loss, the Miners competed strongly to the end. 

Joe Maiai made some strong runs and made a massive hit on the Eltham number 8. Johneen Fagavao made a couple of line breaks, the Tuitupou brothers were strong in their hit-ups, and loose forwards Dave Macdonald, Paula Maka and Allan Saville tackled tirelessly.

In the early match, the Miners under-18s team went down 58-6 against the bigger and more experienced Wyndham Rhinos.

Five-eighth Phillip Keech was outstanding for the Miners and scored all Bendigo’s points, with two penalty goals. Others to stand out for the Miners were Stuart Crickmore, Rowland Clarke and Keegan Steedman.

There are no games on the Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend. The Miners travel to Clayton on June 15 to take on Monash University in another inter-divisional fixture. The under-18s  go to Frankston to play Southern Districts. 

Article source: http://www.london24.com/sport/rugby/london_rugby_union_2012_13_season_review_1_2219622

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Injury-hit Bendigo Miners outpointed by Eltham in rugby union clash